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Fraser Hollins
Thursday, October 27, 2022Welcome to my website by Aestheticize Media. Bienvenue à mon site web, par Aestheticize Media.Thank you for visiting my website. You can find information on upcoming concerts, links to my recordings, and photos and videos of my different groups. Coming up are a few performances in Montreal, Toronto, and Waterloo, with The Phoenix. The new photos are by G. Scott MacLeod (MacLeod Nine Productions), and they were taken on a session on beautiful Mount Royal (Montréal). I wish you a very good visit.


Merci de votre visite à mon site web. Vous pourriez trouver des informations au sujet de mes prochains spectacles, des liens pour mes albums, des photos et des vidéos de mes différents groupes. J'ai plusieurs concerts prochainement avec Le Phénix. Ils auront lieu à Montréal, à Toronto et à Waterloo. Les nouvelles photos ont été prises par G. Scott MacLeod (MacLeod Nine Productions) sur le Mont Royal (Montréal). Je vous souhaite une très belle visite.

Fraser Hollins has been praised as "one of Canada's great bassists." Don Thompson - Canadian Jazz Multi-Instrumentalist. A priority in his artistic growth has been to develop versatility in many styles and idioms because of his sincere love for many musical cultures and genres. This has proven an invaluable quality for him as he has led an enriching musical life for the past 15 years in Montreal, and, for a few years, in New York City. His playing demonstrates "highly imaginative and creative spontaneous music making." Craig Hurst - Jazz Review.com. Fraser is an in-demand sideman, and his contribution as a rhythm section player is valued for the "strong foundation" he gives the music while at the same time providing "much more than the requisite maintenance of the beat." Joanne Villeneuve - The Brandon Sun.

He has performed around the world and appeared on over 30 recordings with bands featuring national and international artists. This list of musicians includes Steve Amirault, Jeff Johnston, Joel Miller, Jean-Christophe Béney, Christine Jensen, Rémi Bolduc, Josh Rager, Dave Turner, Don Thompson, Kelly Jefferson, Guido Basso, Kevin Hays, Ingrid Jensen, Brad Turner, Geoffrey Keezer, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Monder, Dave Liebman, Max Wild, Amanda Monaco, Donny McCaslin, Jon Cowherd, Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone and Seamus Blake.

Music has taken Fraser to Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. These travels have been important to him as a performer and educator. The sharing of his musical knowledge is of vital importance to him, and he has participated in clinics across Canada, and internationally in England, Peru, Haiti and the United States. Since 2006, Fraser has been on staff at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal, where he teaches bass privately and instructs ensembles.

Fraser's own musical education began at a young age. A native of Ottawa, Canada where he was born in 1970, he started playing violin and piano when he was seven years old. In high school, he picked up the bass guitar and performed in rock and jazz-fusion groups. In 1989 he made the switch to acoustic bass, after hearing the classic Miles Davis record "Kind of Blue". He began his post-secondary musical studies at Ottawa University (1990), and went on to hone his craft in Montreal at Concordia University (1991-1994).

In the early summer of 1999, Fraser participated in the Banff International Jazz Workshop. This was a life changing experience for him, not only because of the opportunity to learn from and play with the incredible faculty, which included Kenny Werner, Dave Douglas, Joe Lovano and Dave Holland; it was also a fantastic place to meet musicians from all over the world, because of the program's international reputation. In particular, Fraser was marked by the energy and intensity of the musicians he encountered from the New York City area, and this fuelled a strong desire in him to spend some time there.

In November 1999, he moved to New York for 6 months to study with Gary Peacock and Marc Johnson thanks to a grant awarded him by the Canada Council. During this time, he would spend many of his days getting together with musicians all over the city, and the importance of original compositions during these sessions made a profound impact on him. He had written music since he was a teenager playing in rock bands, and he now felt a strong urge to delve more deeply into this universe. So, in the fall of 2000 he began developing his composition skills under the tutelage of Jim McNeely with the financial aid of the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec.

Still hungry to keep studying intensely, and wanting to spend more time in New York, Fraser began his Masters degree at the Manhattan School of Music in the fall of 2001, where he had the opportunity to study with Jay Anderson, Garry Dial, Dick Oatts, Mike Abene, Ludmila Ulehla and Dave Liebman. He profited from numerous playing opportunities at the school and in the jazz clubs around New York, and would occasionally tour in the US, Canada and Europe. He also wrote prolifically for a variety of ensembles, including small groups, big band, chamber ensembles and string quartet. He eventually plans to draw from these writing experiences to produce a program of original music featuring a large ensemble. His voice as a composer has been recognised by his peers, and Fraser had his composition "Halfway Home" recorded by Christine Jensen on her CD A Shorter Distance, and "Cornered Coach" on Josh Rager's Time and Again.

After graduating with his Masters Degree, Fraser stayed in New York until the fall of 2005, when he relocated back to Montreal. Since his return, he has written a book of original music for his quartet, and has started performing around town with this group. His band features Joel Miller on saxophones, Steve Amirault on piano, and Karl Jannuska or Martin Auguste on drums. He continues to perform and record regularly with some of Canada's finest jazz bands. These include Joel Miller's "Mandala", the Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra, the Rémi Bolduc Jazz Ensemble, and the Jean-Christophe Béney Quartet. He enjoys a fulfilling teaching career at McGill University where he gives improvisation classes, private lessons and instructs ensembles. He released his first CD, entitled Aerial, in the fall of 2010, which features a collection of music that is largely influenced by his travels to South America, and his love of Nature. The band features Joel Miller on tenor and soprano saxophones, Steve Amirault on piano, and Karl Jannuska on drums.

In 2016, he recorded his 2nd album as a leader, entitled Treehouse. This CD reunites Fraser with long-time collaborator Joel Miller, again on tenor and soprano saxophones, with Jon Cowherd on piano, and Brian Blade on drums. The genesis of this group happened in June 2012, when the band performed at the Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill in Montreal, as part of the club's jazz festival series.

In the spring of 2022 Fraser toured for a week with Treehouse in Quebec and Ontario, giving performances and clinics with the band.

Fraser now has a group in Montreal called The Phoenix. The members are Samuel Blais on alto and baritone saxophones, and clarinet, Carlos Jiménez on guitar, and Rich Irwin on drums, with Fraser on acoustic and electric basses. The band has been together since the fall of 2021, and they have performed at local clubs and some nearby jazz festivals. Please see the calendar page for upcoming concerts.

TreehouseFraser Hollins2019
bandcamp
AerialFraser Hollins2010
iTunes
Lost in New YorkSuresh Singaratnam2010
iTunes
Songs from Berlin to New York by Kurt WeillKerry Anne Kutz2009
FIrst StepsMin Rager2009
Time and AgainJosh Rager2008
TantramarJoel Miller2007
4 + 1Rémi Bolduc Jazz Ensemble + Jerry Bergonzi2007
SoundclashErik Hove2007
Pop upJean-Christophe Béney2007
IntentionAmanda Monaco 42006
The Long ViewTom Van Seters2006
Look LeftChristine Jensen2006
Zambezi SunsetMax Wild2004
Sleight of HandSherisse Rogers Project Uprising2004
SextetJosh Rager2004
Liberating VinesKarl Jannuska2004
MandalaJoel Miller2004
You Still DoWillow2003
Amanda Monaco 4Amanda Monaco 42003
EvolutionBernard Primeau et le Montreal Jazz Ensemble2002
A Shorter DistanceChristine Jensen2002
DedicationsGuido Basso and Dave Turner2002
NarrativeTom Van Seters2001
Present TenseBryn Roberts2001
Un Souffle LatinBernard Primeau et le Montreal Jazz Ensemble2000
The Eagle Has Landed… Eh?Billy Kerr2000
Rendezvous PointSteve Amirault2000
CollageChristine Jensen2000
Midnight MartiniGuido Basso and Dave Turner1999
I'm All SmilesGeorge Evans1999
Since I Fell for YouThe Tone Poets1998
Listen to your HeartSharada Banman1998
Time and AgainJosh Rager2008
Johanne Desforges and her TrioJohanne Desforges2007
Samba D'AthenaDave Turner Latin Sextet1998

Aerial

Bassist Fraser Hollins, whose big sound adds depth and breadth to a variety of local jazz ensembles, has finally come out with a CD of his own compositions, and it is a delight. The 11 pieces are mainly mid-tempo ballads with evocative and occasionally lofty themes, developed in a quartet of long-standing friends and musical cohorts, saxophonist Joel Miller and pianist Steve Amirault, with former Montreal resident Karl Jannuska on drums. It kicks off with the plaintive Crux, drawn with arco lines, and moves to the thought-provoking ballads Lost in the Maze and Currents, featuring Miller's muscular tenor and fluid ideas and the rich lyricism of pianist Amirault. Ending with the harder-edged Song for the Underdog and the positive notes of All's Well, the CD is a tribute to Hollins's talent as a composer and emerging leader.

Podworthy: Song for the UnderdogIrwin BlockMontreal Gazette
For years, Ottawa-raised, Montreal-based bassist Fraser Hollins has been girded the music of two of Canada's best jazz composers -- Christine Jensen and Joel Miller. Aerial suggests to me that not a little of their depth, sophistication and contemporary lyricism have rubbed off on Hollins.

Hollins' disc, which features Miller on tenor and soprano saxophones, pianist Steve Amirault and drummer Karl Jannuska, is continually captivating. The compositions are not... easily categorized or parsed...- I find them... intriguing, extended and complex, and I mean that in a good way. They are certainly not overly complicated, and in any event, focused playing and a strong sense of purpose make them must-hears.

Rich and rewarding are Currents, a theme that for me evokes a feeling of wide-open space, and Way of the Condor, which blends a slow Latin theme and a gospel-tinged extended coda. Song for the Underdog begins strong with Hollins and Jannuska having a loud conversation, and it stays strong as a brisk, hardy swinger. All's Well ends the disc simply but powerfully, stressing soulfulness and groove above all.

Throughout, Miller speaks expressively through his horns with a warm, woody, pliant sound and a committed, cliche-free approach to melody. Similarly, Amirault consistently puts conveying emotion and beauty ahead of displaying chops and hipness.

With every note, Hollins is a commanding voice on his instrument -- or more precisely, instruments. On several tracks, Hollins overdubs a bit of electric bass to add another colour to the music, emulating John Patitucci, with whom he has studied. Also like Patitucci, Hollins has a lovely sound when he plays arco. Hollins' bowed bass is the star of the short disc's first track, Crux, and it again dazzles on the companion piece Alpha Crusis and most of all on the lovely ballad Vyana.

Hollins debut as a leader is so satisfying that it makes me think that he has waited an awfully long time to present his most personal vision of jazz. It's a mature and compelling one, and it deserves the attention in particular of music lovers keen to know just where their Canadian jazz is at. Aerial will likely make such listeners clamour for me, and let's hope that a sequel to the disc is not long in coming.Peter HumOttawa Citizen
Man--what a beautiful CD---wish i were the sax player--the tunes,. the mix, the sequence of tunes, the package--

one of the best I've heard in a long time
Dave LiebmanDave Liebman

Treehouse

Sur la scène de jazz québécoise et canadienne, nous trouvons en tête de peloton le contrebassiste Fraser Hollins. Pour nous faire oublier un peu l’hiver et des tracas, il nous a concocté Treehouse, une nouveauté dont l’inspiration se trouve dans les arbres, et plus précisément dans une jolie petite maison tout en bois, celle dont nous rêvions dans notre enfance.

Entourée d’une joyeuse équipe composée du saxophoniste ténor/soprano Joel Miller, du pianiste John Cowherd et surprise, du batteur américain Brian Blade, son ode à la note bleue est tout ce qu’il de plus dynamique . En neuf plages et là encore, que des compositions personnelles, dommage pour les standards, nous évoluons dans un monde qui respire le métier et le savoir-faire.

Dès la première pièce Prowl, qui met en vedette le saxophoniste ténor Joel Miller, l’hommage au maître qu’est Sonny Rollins se fait
sentir, tandis que Ground Sea, qui se dessine comme une superbe ballade est un écrin royal pour le pianiste John Cowherd. Avec High Wire, nous revisitons l’époque Blue Note des années 60, parfois feutrée, parfois swing et en arrière-plan Miller une fois de plus, évoque l’empreinte de John Coltrane.

Et Fraser Hollins, le patron des lieux, comment mène-t-il sa barque ? Avec beaucoup de justesse, laissant parfois cours à son inspiration, mais surtout en respectant l’unité de son quartette et laissant donc « pas mal de corde » à ses complices. Mais oui, c’est un beau disque, classique dans le ton et la forme, mais qui se plaindra ?…certainement pas votre chroniqueur.Christophe RodriguezSorties Jazz Nights
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Upcoming Performances

January 20, 2025 - Antigonish, N.S.Guest Artist: St. Francis Xavier University


Past Performances

November 10, 2024 - Roddy Ellias Trio
November 01, 2024 - Solo Bass
October 03, 2024 - Ayelet Rose Gottlieb...
September 29, 2024 - Yves Leveillé "Retr...
September 15, 2024 - Fraser Hollins & The...
August 01, 2024 - Quatuor Yves Léveil...
June 23, 2024 - Alex Johnson Quintet...
March 22, 2024 - 21e Anniversaire de ...
March 21, 2024 - Roberto Lopez: Ritua...
March 17, 2024 - Carlos Jiménez Six-...
March 02, 2024 - Yves Léveillé "Ré...
February 23, 2024 - Roddy Ellias Quartet
January 18, 2024 - Solo Bass Set
November 17, 2023 - Fraser Hollins Quart...
November 11, 2023 - Tribute to Jan Jarcz...
November 08, 2023 - Orchestre National d...
October 13, 2023 - Fraser Hollins and T...
October 05, 2023 - Fraser Hollins and T...
August 27, 2023 - Carlos Jiménez Jogo...
August 25, 2023 - Carlos Jiménez Jogo...
July 28, 2023 - Oktoécho
June 22, 2023 - Duo with Roddy Ellia...
June 17, 2023 - Yves Léveillé et R...
June 10, 2023 - Yoel Diaz Bebop Quin...
May 26, 2023 - Carlos Jiménez Doct...
May 16, 2023 - Alex Johnson Quartet
May 13, 2023 - Fraser Hollins and T...
April 15, 2023 - Tevet Sela Quartet
April 14, 2023 - Tevet Sela Quartet
March 24, 2023 - Fraser Hollins and T...
March 10, 2023 - Carlos Jiménez Jogo...
March 04, 2023 - Carlos Jiménez & Fr...
February 03, 2023 - Fraser Hollins and T...
January 28, 2023 - Fraser Hollins and T...
January 27, 2023 - Fraser Hollins and T...
December 04, 2022 - Baron Tymas Trio wit...
November 25, 2022 - Tevet Sela Quartet
November 18, 2022 - Schulich Jazz Area F...
November 11, 2022 - Fraser Hollins and T...
September 08, 2022 - Alex Johnson Trio
August 27, 2022 - Samuel Blais New Yor...
August 26, 2022 - Samuel Blais New Yor...
August 20, 2022 - Benson McGlashan Qui...
August 14, 2022 - Fraser Hollins/ Teve...
August 13, 2022 - Jeff Johnston Trio
August 07, 2022 - Fraser Hollins and T...
August 04, 2022 - Carlos Jiménez Don'...
July 31, 2022 - Tevet Sela Trio
July 30, 2022 - John Roney Quartet
July 23, 2022 - Fraser Hollins and T...
July 15, 2022 - Carlos Jiménez Don'...
July 11, 2022 - Federico Milone Quar...
June 23, 2022 - Federico Milone Quar...
June 13, 2022 - Camp Musical Val Des...
June 09, 2022 - Alex Johnson Trio, w...
May 13, 2022 - Yoel Diaz Mundo Jazz...
April 03, 2022 - Kerry=Anne Kutz, wit...
March 20, 2022 - Fraser Hollins and T...
March 19, 2022 - Fraser Hollins & Tre...
March 18, 2022 - Fraser Hollins & Tre...
March 17, 2022 - Fraser Hollins & Tre...
March 17, 2022 - Clinic
March 16, 2022 - Clinic
March 15, 2022 - Performance
March 14, 2022 - Fraser Hollins & Tre...
March 03, 2022 - Tevet Sela Quartet f...
The Layers - by Fraser Hollins - Fraser’s SubstackThe Clawclick here for more info
Balado on Ancr'âge TravailInterview with Linda Coutureclick here for more info
Jon Cowherdhttps://www.joncowherd.com/
Brian Bladehttps://www.brianblade.com/
Carlos Jiménezhttps://www.carlosjimenezmusic.com/
Jeff Johnstonhttps://www.jeffjohnstonmusic.com/about.html
MacLeod 9 Productionshttps://www.macleod9.com/
Karl Jannuskahttp://www.karljannuska.com/
John Paticuccihttps://www.johnpatitucci.com/
Samuel Blaishttp://www.samuelblais.com/en
Remi Bolduchttp://www.remibolduc.com
Suresh Singaratnamhttp://www.whoissuresh.com
Canadian Association for the Club of RomeThe Canadian Association for the Club of Rome is a non-governmental organization dedicated to intelligent debate and action on global issues.https://canadiancor.com/
Rich Irwinhttps://www.sonor.com/artists/richard-irwin/
Dave Liebmanhttp://davidliebman.com/home/
Dave Wattshttp://www.davewattsmusic.com/
Ottawa Sustainability Fundhttp://www.osfund.ca/
Cassandra Lesliephotographer (photography for www.fraserhollins.com)http://www.c2studios.ca/
Aestheticize Mediahttp://www.aestheticize.com
For booking and other inquiries, please contact:

North America: Fraser Hollins at fraserhollins@gmail.com

Europe and overseas: Leonor De Moncada: leonor.moncada@hotmail.com


Fraser's Albums





Coming soon...

Fraser Hollins Prowl V1 - YouTube
This is the 1st track on my 2nd album, entitled "Treehouse". The tune is called "Prowl". The band features Joel Miller on tenor saxophone, Jon Cowherd on pia...
Falling Grace - Steve Swallow (inspired by Carlos Jiménez's arr
As a student of Jay Anderson's during my Masters Degree at the Manhattan School of Music, I would prepare a solo bass arrangement each week for my lesson. Th...
Mil Doscientos Zaguates Muy Muy Felices - YouTube
This is my group The Phoenix, featuring Samuel Blais on clarinet and baritone saxophone, Carlos Jiménez on guitar, and Rich Irwin on drums, performing a new ...
Fraser Hollins and The Phoenix/ The Phoenix - YouTube
As a final instalment of the three videos with my group The Phoenix, here is the eponymous song of the band. This tune was a long haul in the writing, and I ...
Fraser Hollins and The Phoenix/ Resistance is Futile - YouTube
Here is my band, The Phoenix, featuring Samuel Blais on baritone saxophone, Carlos Jiménez on guitar, Rich Irwin on drums, and myself on upright bass. This i...
Fraser Hollins Blaze - YouTube
This is the 2nd track from my 2nd album, entitled "Treehouse". The tune is called "Blaze", and is dedicated to my dear friend, the great saxophonist and comp...
A Felicidade - Antonio Carlos Jobim - YouTube
Inspired by The Eliane Elias Trio concert I heard last night, which featured drummer Tiago Michelin, and bassist Marc Johnson, here is my solo arrangement of...
Walk Lola Walk- Twenty Five to Midnight (Sting) - YouTube
Introducing my new pop and rock band, Walk Lola Walk, featuring Carlos Jiménez on guitar, Josh Rager on keyboard, Rich Irwin on drums, and myself on the elec...
Walk Lola Walk- Loneliness (Annie Lennox) - YouTube
Walk Lola Walk, featuring Carlos Jiménez on guitar, Josh Rager on organ, Rich Irwin on drums, and myself on the electric bass and vocals, perform Loneliness,...
Walk Lola Walk- Push On For The Dawn (Corinne Bailey Rae) - YouT
As a final instalment of our Britishly Invaded recording session, here is Walk Lola Walk playing Corinne Bailey Rae's "Push On For The Dawn". The band featur...
Creeper - Ralph Towner - YouTube
This is a new duo project with my dear friend and fantastic guitarist Carlos Jiménez. Carlos and I have recorded a collection of the great guitarist Ralph To...
Les Douzilles - YouTube
Here is another of Ralph Towner's pieces that Carlos Jiménez and I recorded. This one is called Les Douzilles.
Ralph Towner - Tramonto - YouTube
This is Tramonto by Ralph Towner, which I recorded with my brilliant friend and guitarist, Carlos Jiménez.